Coca-Cola partners firms to protect environment

Coca-Cola Company is supporting industry coalition to protect the environment by encouraging proper disposal and management of its wastes, including used packaging materials.

The company, according to its Technical Director, Mr Nkem Akobundu, is supporting the conversion of its PET bottles into fibres for making pillows, clothes and mattresses.

Akobundu spoke at the launch of the new look Eva Water, in Lagos. He said the company had 13 sites where it treats waste water.

He said: “Our company is conscious of how it manages our carbon foot print. Besides, we have in place energy management devices that reduce our energy consumption.

Where we use a lot of energy we combine heat and water to heat our boilers. Additionally, we do not release gas to the environment, as we have installed coolers with carbon dioxide (Co2) compressors.”

Akobundu also said plans were ongoing with Tetra Pack to recycle the seven-layer paper packaging of 5alive juice.

On the new look Eva, he insisted that it is of the same quality but with a better appeal.

In his contribution, Senior Brand Manager, Still Beverages of Coca Cola, Mr Otome Olumide Oyo, said: “The DNA of Coca Cola runs in all its brands and as a global player in beverages, it is important to us to continue to leverage our global foot print regardless of where we are.

Our new Eva has better handling and stand up distribution challenges, we continuously engage ourselves and also take care in the preservation of the environment.”

Coca-Cola, he said, has supported the recycling of PET bottles since 2005, helping to establish a collection and buyback system that includes 22 collection centres in 10 States across the country.

He maintained that through the project, nearly one billion bottles have been recycled with about 6,000 tonnes recycled this year, stressing that the new Eva bottle is another sustainable way the company is demonstrating its commitment to environmental sustainability.

”The new Eva water bottle is safe for the consumers and safer for the environment.

We at Coca-Cola would never compromise our existing standards and would continue to bring our consumers the best innovative products to cater to their needs and ensure the safety of the environment,” he said.